U.S. patent number 10,215,295 [Application Number 15/576,060] was granted by the patent office on 2019-02-26 for valve for a reciprocating compressor.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Nuovo Pignone Tecnologie Srl. The grantee listed for this patent is Nuovo Pignone Tecnologie Srl. Invention is credited to Alberto Babbini, Riccardo Maleci, Gianni Orsi, Federico Puccinelli.
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United States Patent |
10,215,295 |
Babbini , et al. |
February 26, 2019 |
Valve for a reciprocating compressor
Abstract
A valve for a reciprocating compressor comprises a valve body
having a seat and a guard; a shutter element placed between the
seat and the guard and configured to move between a closed position
in which the passage of fluid is prevented and an open position in
which the passage of fluid is allowed; an hydraulic apparatus for
moving the shutter element between the open and closed positions,
the hydraulic apparatus comprising an hydraulic circuit having at
least a portion integrated in the valve body.
Inventors: |
Babbini; Alberto (Florence,
IA), Orsi; Gianni (Florence, IT), Maleci;
Riccardo (Florence, IT), Puccinelli; Federico
(Florence, IT) |
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Nuovo Pignone Tecnologie Srl |
Florence |
N/A |
IT |
|
|
Assignee: |
Nuovo Pignone Tecnologie Srl
(Florence, IT)
|
Family
ID: |
53765453 |
Appl.
No.: |
15/576,060 |
Filed: |
May 17, 2016 |
PCT
Filed: |
May 17, 2016 |
PCT No.: |
PCT/EP2016/061013 |
371(c)(1),(2),(4) Date: |
November 21, 2017 |
PCT
Pub. No.: |
WO2016/188800 |
PCT
Pub. Date: |
December 01, 2016 |
Prior Publication Data
|
|
|
|
Document
Identifier |
Publication Date |
|
US 20180163881 A1 |
Jun 14, 2018 |
|
Foreign Application Priority Data
|
|
|
|
|
May 22, 2015 [IT] |
|
|
102015000016911 |
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F04B
39/08 (20130101); F16K 15/181 (20130101); F04B
7/02 (20130101); F04B 53/10 (20130101); F04B
39/1053 (20130101); F04B 49/225 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
F04B
39/10 (20060101); F04B 53/10 (20060101); F04B
7/02 (20060101); F04B 39/08 (20060101); F16K
15/18 (20060101); F04B 49/22 (20060101) |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2 859 277 |
|
Jun 2013 |
|
CA |
|
2 859 275 |
|
Jul 2013 |
|
CA |
|
2 859 279 |
|
Jul 2013 |
|
CA |
|
2 859 308 |
|
Jul 2013 |
|
CA |
|
2 859 316 |
|
Jul 2013 |
|
CA |
|
2 194 302 |
|
Jun 2010 |
|
EP |
|
262970 |
|
Dec 1926 |
|
GB |
|
S60-75782 |
|
Apr 1985 |
|
JP |
|
Other References
Buffa, F., Automatic ring valve shutters for automatic ring valves
and method for manufacturing said shutters, GE co-pending
Application No. FI2013A000243, filed on Oct. 16, 2013. cited by
applicant .
Tozzi, P., Automatic ring valve, shutters for automatic ring
valves, and method for manufacturing said shutters, GE co-pending
Application No. FI2014A000246, filed on Nov. 5, 2014. cited by
applicant .
Italian Search Report and Written Opinion issued in connection with
corresponding IT Application No. 102015000016911 dated Jan. 19,
2016. cited by applicant .
International Search Report and Written Opinion issued in
connection with corresponding PCT Application No. PCT/EP2016/061013
dated Sep. 12, 2016. cited by applicant.
|
Primary Examiner: Hamo; Patrick
Attorney, Agent or Firm: GE Global Patent Operation
Vivenzio; Marc A.
Claims
What we claim is:
1. A valve for a reciprocating compressor comprising: a valve body
comprising a seat and a guard and defining a valve plane, the seat
and the guard developing substantially parallel to the valve plane;
a shutter element placed between the seat and the guard and
developing substantially parallel to the valve plane, the shutter
element configured to move between a closed position in which the
passage of fluid is prevented and an open position in which the
passage of fluid is allowed; and a hydraulic apparatus to move the
shutter element at least between the open and the closed position,
the hydraulic apparatus comprising a hydraulic circuit having at
least a portion integrated in the valve body such that a first
portion of the hydraulic circuit is integrated in the seat and a
second portion of the hydraulic circuit is integrated in the
guard.
2. The valve according to claim 1, wherein the hydraulic apparatus
comprises a plurality of pistons, each piston being at least
partially inserted into a respective housing inside the valve body
and in contact with the shutter element.
3. The valve according to claim 2, wherein a set of housings is
provided inside the seat, and each piston of a subset of the
plurality pistons is inserted into a respective housing of the
first set of housings.
4. The valve according to claim 1, wherein the shutter element is
configured to also move between the closed position and at least an
intermediate position allowing the passage of fluid at a reduced
rate with respect to the open position.
5. A cylinder for a reciprocating compressor, the cylinder
comprising at least a valve according to claim 1.
6. A reciprocating compressor comprising a valve according to claim
1.
7. A valve for a reciprocating compressor comprising: a valve body
comprising a seat and a guard and defining a valve plane, the seat
and the guard developing substantially parallel to the valve plane;
a shutter element placed between the seat and the guard and
developing substantially parallel to the valve plane, the shutter
element configured to move between a closed position in which the
passage of fluid is prevented and an open position in which the
passage of fluid is allowed; and a hydraulic apparatus to move the
shutter element at least between the open and the closed position,
the hydraulic apparatus comprising a hydraulic circuit having at
least a portion integrated in the valve body including a first
portion integrated in the seat, and a plurality of pistons with
each piston of the plurality of pistons at least partially inserted
into a respective housing inside the valve body and in contact with
the shutter element, wherein a set of housings is provided inside
the guard, and each piston of a subset of the plurality of pistons
is inserted into a respective housing of the set of housings.
8. A valve for a reciprocating compressor comprising: a valve body
comprising a seat and a guard and defining a valve plane, the seat
and the guard developing substantially parallel to the valve plane;
a shutter element placed between the seat and the guard and
developing substantially parallel to the valve plane, the shutter
element configured to move between a closed position in which the
passage of fluid is prevented and an open position in which the
passage of fluid is allowed; and a hydraulic apparatus to move the
shutter element at least between the open and the closed position,
the hydraulic apparatus comprising a hydraulic circuit having at
least a portion integrated in the valve body including a first
portion integrated in the seat, and a plurality of pistons with
each piston of the plurality of pistons at least partially inserted
into a respective housing inside the valve body and in contact with
the shutter element; wherein a first set of housings is provided
inside the seat and a second set of housing is provided inside the
guard, and each piston of a first subset of the plurality of
pistons is inserted into a respective housing of the first set of
housings and each piston of a second subset of the plurality of
pistons is inserted into a respective housing of the second set of
housings.
9. The valve according to claim 8, wherein each piston of the first
subset is opposite to a corresponding piston of the second subset
with respect to the shutter element.
10. The valve according to claim 9, wherein each piston of the
first subset is joined to a corresponding piston of the second
subset.
Description
FIELD OF INVENTION
The subject matter of the present disclosure relates to a valve for
a reciprocating compressor. Reciprocating compressors equipped with
such a valve can be employed in process applications including
refineries, petro chemicals, fertilizers, refrigeration and air, as
well as in the gas and oil industry, for gas re-injection, gas
lift, pipeline gas transmission, gas storage and fuel gas
bursting.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
A valve for a reciprocating compressor is known in the state of the
art. Such valve comprises a seat and a guard, which are
substantially planar grills facing each other and placed
substantially parallel to each other. The seat and the guard both
have holes. However, those holes mostly do not overlap.
A shutter element is placed between the seat and the guard. The
shutter element is in particular designed so that it can cover the
holes on the valve seat. With more detail, the shutter element is
pushed against the seat by a set of springs acting between the
guard and the shutter element itself. The passage of fluid is thus
prevented.
When the pressure from the working fluid increases beyond a
predetermined threshold, it can then overcome the elastic force of
the springs, thus forcing the valve open and allowing the passage
of fluid until the pressure decreases below the acting
threshold.
This valve, while being fully automatic (as the opening and closing
actions are determined only by the pressure difference between the
two sides) disadvantageously precludes the possibility of opening
and closing itself on preset conditions other than such pressure
difference.
In order to overcome such disadvantage the related art provides
other devices, such as the one shown in the document
US2012/0260796. This valve, while retaining the basic construction
of the state of the art valve, also comprises a valve lifter acting
on the shutter element and moved by an electromagnetic linear
motor. Such valve lifter can only open the valve, as it relies on
the spring for closing it.
Disadvantageously, such valve is exceedingly complex, thus
potentially unreliable. Also, this type of valve needs more space
inside the cylinder than the fully automatic version.
Document U.S. Pat. No. 6,149,400 describes a suction valve of the
plate-type of construction, comprising a valve plate which is
actuated by an electromagnet arranged in a valve catcher. Such
design however implies having an electric circuit in close
proximity to the process gas, which may itself be inflammable or
explosive. Therefore, this kind of valve cannot be safely be
employed in such cases.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
A first embodiment of the invention therefore relates to a valve
for a reciprocating compressor. Such valve comprises a valve body,
wherein the valve body comprises a seat and a guard. The valve body
also defines a valve plane. The seat and the guard develop
substantially parallel to the valve plane.
The valve also comprises a shutter element placed between the seat
and the guard. The shutter element also develops substantially
parallel to the valve plane. The shutter element is also configured
to move between a closed position, in which the passage of fluid is
prevented, and an open position, in which the passage of fluid is
allowed.
The valve also comprises a hydraulic apparatus for moving the
shutter element at least between the open and the closed positions.
The hydraulic apparatus comprises a hydraulic circuit having at
least a portion integrated in the valve body.
Another embodiment of the invention relates to a valve, which
comprises: a valve body; a hydraulic circuit, at least a portion of
which is integrated within the valve body; and a shutter element
inside the valve body and configured to move between a closed
position in which a passage of fluid is prevented and at least an
intermediate position in which the passage of fluid is allowed or
partially prevented, wherein the hydraulic circuit is coupled with
the shutter element.
In a further embodiment, the valve body also comprises: a seat; and
a guard, wherein the shutter element is between the seat and the
guard.
Such valves are much more compact than the electromagnetic actuated
type, and provide increased operational flexibility.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Further details and specific embodiments will refer to the attached
drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 is a side sectional view of a valve for a reciprocating
compressor;
FIG. 2 is a perspective sectional view of a detail of the valve of
FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a detail sectional view of a valve for a reciprocating
compressor;
FIG. 4 is a sectional view of a cylinder of a reciprocating
compressor comprising the valve of FIGS. 1-3; and
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a compressor comprising the
cylinder of FIG. 4.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The following description of exemplary embodiments refer to the
accompanying drawings. The same reference numbers in different
drawings identify the same or similar elements. The following
detailed description does not limit the invention. Instead, the
scope of in an embodiment defined by the appended claims.
The following disclosure describes in detail a valve of the type
generally applied to a cylinder of a reciprocating compressor. This
valve opens and closes in order to let process fluid in and out of
the cylinder. Also, the opening and closing of the valve can be
actively controlled, i.e. it is a so called "active valve".
With reference to the attached drawings, with the number 1 is
indicated a valve for a reciprocating compressor according to an
embodiment of the present invention.
The valve 1 comprises a valve body 2. The valve body 2 is made so
that it can be inserted in a cylinder 22 of a reciprocating
compressor 21.
More in detail, the valve body 2 comprises a seat 3 and a guard 4.
The seat 3 and the guard 4 define a valve plane "A", which will be
used as a reference in the following part of the present
disclosure. Indeed, both the seat 3 and the guard 4 develop
substantially parallel to the valve plane "A". With reference to
FIG. 2, the seat 3 and the guard 4 are both shaped as perforated
plates, separated by a gap 5. In other words, the seat 3 and the
guard 4 have each a plurality of holes 13. Each hole 13 is shaped
as an arc, being at a predetermined distance from the center and
extending along a portion of circumference. Again with reference to
FIG. 2, it is to be noted that the holes 13 from the seat 3
generally do not face the holes 13 of the guard 4. Other known
types of patterns for the holes 13 can be employed in both the seat
3 and the guard 4.
More in detail, the seat 3 has an inner face 3a and an outer face
3b. The guard 4 has an inner face 4a and an outer face 4b. The gap
5 is defined between the inner faces 3a, 4a.
A shutter element 6 is placed between the seat 3 and the guard 4.
The shutter element 6 develops substantially parallel to the valve
plane "A". The shutter element 6 is configured to move between a
closed position in which the passage of fluid is prevented and an
open position in which the passage of fluid is allowed inside the
valve 1.
With additional detail, the shutter element 6 comprises a grid 14.
The grid 14 itself comprises a plurality of covers 15 which face
the holes 13 on the seat. Therefore, in the closed position, the
shutter element is in contact with the seat 3, so that the covers
15 block the holes 13 of the seat 3. In the open position, the
shutter element 6 detaches from the seat 3, so that the fluid may
flow from the holes 13 of the seat 3, around the covers 15 of the
shutter element 6 and to the holes 13 of the guard 4. Also, as it
will be clear from a following part of this disclosure, the fluid
can also flow in the reverse direction, i.e. from the holes 13 of
the guard 4 to the holes 13 of the seat 3.
In an alternative embodiment, not shown in the drawings, the
shutter element 6 may comprise, in place of the grid 14, a
plurality of distinct rings, arranged so that that can move
independently one from each other.
In a further embodiment of the invention, the shutter element 6 can
be configured to move between the closed position and at least an
intermediate position. In this way, it is possible to allow the
passage of fluid at a reduced rate with respect to a fully open
position.
The valve 1 also comprises a hydraulic apparatus 7 for moving the
shutter element 6. Specifically, the hydraulic apparatus 7 can move
the shutter element 6 at least between the open and closed
positions. In particular, the hydraulic apparatus 7 comprises a
hydraulic circuit 8 of which at least a portion 8a, 8b is
integrated in the valve body 8. In detail, the hydraulic circuit 8
comprises a first portion 8a integrated in the seat 3. Similarly,
the hydraulic circuit 8 comprises a second portion 8b which is
integrated in the guard 4. More detail on the hydraulic circuit 8
will be given in a following part of the present disclosure.
The hydraulic apparatus 7 comprises a plurality of pistons 9, 10.
Each piston 9, 10 is at least partially inserted into a respective
housing 11, 12 inside the valve body 2. Each piston 9, 10 is also
placed in contact with the shutter element 6.
With additional detail, a first set of housings 11 is provided
inside the seat 3. The hydraulic apparatus 7 comprises a first set
of pistons 9, each inserted into a respective housing 11 of the
first set.
A second set of housings 12 is provided inside the guard 4. The
hydraulic apparatus 7 comprises a second set of pistons 10, each
inserted into a respective housing 12 of the second set.
It is to be noted that, according to the embodiment of invention
shown in FIG. 2, each piston 9 of the first set is placed opposite
to a piston 10 of the second set with respect to the shutter
element 6.
Indeed, as shown in a further embodiment of the invention, each
piston 9 of the first set can be joined to a corresponding piston
10 from the second set. With more detail, in this case the pistons
9, 10 may either be constructed as a single piece, or constructed
as separate pieces and then joined later.
In detail, the aforementioned first portion 8a of the hydraulic
circuit 8 comprises a first main duct 16, which can be placed in
fluid communication with an hydraulic actuator 17, as shown for
example in FIG. 1. The hydraulic actuator 17 is not itself part of
the valve 1. However, a further embodiment of the present invention
may comprise such hydraulic actuator 17 together with a suitable
embodiment of the valve 1.
The first portion 8a also comprises a plurality of first branching
ducts 18, each in fluid communication with both the first main duct
16 and with a respective housing 11 of the first set. It is to be
noted that, if required by the shape of the seat 3 and by the
arrangement of the housings 11 of the first set, the hydraulic
circuit 8 may comprise more than one first main duct 16.
Also, the second portion 8b of the hydraulic circuit 8 comprises a
second main duct 19, which can be placed in fluid communication
with the hydraulic actuator 17. The second portion 8b also
comprises a plurality of second branching ducts 20, each in fluid
communication with both the second main duct 19 and with a
respective housing 12 of the second set. If required by the shape
of the guard 4 and by the arrangement of the housings 12 of the
second set, the hydraulic circuit 8 may comprise more than one
second main duct 19.
Reference throughout the specification to "one embodiment" or "an
embodiment" means that a particular feature, structure, or
characteristic described in connection with an embodiment is
included in at least one embodiment of the subject matter
disclosed. Thus, the appearance of the phrases "in one embodiment"
or "in an embodiment" in various places throughout the
specification is not necessarily referring to the same embodiment.
Further, the particular features, structures or characteristics may
be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments.
This written description uses examples to disclose the invention,
including the preferred embodiments, and also to enable any person
skilled in the art to practice the invention, including making and
using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated
methods. The patentable scope of the invention is defined by the
claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled
in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope
of the claims if they have structural elements that do not differ
from the literal language of the claims, or if they include
equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from
the literal languages of the claims.
* * * * *